Thursday, February 16, 2023

Where Is Your Bookmark: My Bookish Mewsings on The Deep End by Julie Mulhern (& Some of My Favorite Covers From the Past 16 years)


Along with this mini review, I am linking to both Book Beginnings, a meme in which readers share the first sentence of a book they are reading, hosted by Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader and Friday 56 hosted by Freda of Freda's Voice, in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading.

My morning swim doesn't usually involve corpses. If it did, I'd give up swimming for something less stressful, like coaxing cobras out of baskets or my mother out of bed before ten. [opening of The Deep End]
               ★                    
A hand grazed across my forehead and my lashes fluttered. The gentle fingers on my skin paused then disappeared. No point in playing opossum now. I opened my eyes. [excerpt from 56% in The Deep End]

The Deep End (The Country Club Murders #1) by Julie Mulhern
Henery Press, 2015
Crime Fiction/Cozy/Historical; 276 pgs

My thoughts: The Deep End is the first in Julie Mulhern's Country Club Murder series set in Kansas City, and what a fun mystery it was!

Ellison Russell is stuck in an unhappy marriage. She finds joy in painting and raising her teenager daughter, Grace, while maintaining her country club lifestyle and enduring her mother's constant interferences. One morning during a daily swim, Ellison swims right into her husband's mistress--who is definitely no longer breathing. To an outsider, Ellison has a motive for wanting the other woman dead, but Ellison has long since stopped caring about her husband's affairs. Suspicion also falls on her husband who chooses right then to go out of town; to exactly where, no one knows. It turns out, her husband was hiding more than just his affair. With the bodies piling up around her and her family's reputation at stake, Ellison sets out to find out who the killer is.

The novel is set in 1974, and author Julie Mulhern captures that time period well with occasional passing references to historical events, social mores, and the fashion of the day. I love that Ellison drinks Tab, which was my dad's favorite drink (my mom still has a can of the soda in her refrigerator in his memory). It's touches like that which help me immerse myself completely in a novel.

I liked Ellison's spunk and ability to think on her feet. There is mention that she hasn't always stood up for herself in her marriage or with her mother in the past, but, from what I saw, she makes quite a formidable character. Her husband, Henry, was every bit the moron. And I found her mother extremely overbearing, but it was obvious she loves her daughter. Gossip spreads like wildfire in the country club community and it seemed to work for and against Ellison. There are a number of interesting background characters, many with secrets of their own. 

The mystery was well executed. I suspect I figured out who the killer was at just the moment the author hoped I would. Before Ellison but not so soon to say I could see it coming a mile away. I loved the humor throughout the novel--that dry humor that sets just the right tone throughout the novel. This was such an enjoyable read, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to everyone who voted for The Deep End in my February TBR poll. This was a winner for me in more ways than one!

Challenges Met: COYER/Cruisin' thru the Cozies/Mount TBR/Backlist Reader/Historical Fiction



Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is co-hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life, and Karen from For What It’s Worth. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Share some books covers you love!

I went through my list of books read on Goodreads over the past 16 years and selected ten covers (because I couldn't narrow it down any further) that I find especially appealing. Which of these do you like best? 



I hope you will join in next week  to answer next week's Tell Me Something Tuesday question: Time for a pet update! Tell us about yours.


Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you use other sources for ARCs besides NetGalley? (submitted by Bonnie @ Bonnie Reads and Writes)


Although occasionally an author, agent or publisher will offer me a print advanced reader copy, more often that not, I go through NetGalley and Edelweiss and receive advanced reader e-copies. 

What about you?


I hope you will join in next week  to answer next week's Book Blogger Hop question: What is the significance of your blog header? 

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!


© 2023 Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

49 comments:

  1. I don't read too many historical cozy mysteries, but this one seems particularly interesting. Enjoy your current read!

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    1. Breana - I think most of the ones I read are set farther back in history. I admit I had to consider whether this one counted as historical--but according to my daughter it definitely does. Thank you for visiting!

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  2. I enjoyed The Deep End several years ago. I need to keep going with this series. I have the next couple (I've read 3 so far), but not time to get to them.

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    1. Mark - I am glad I finally read it--although am kicking myself for waiting so long. I hope you continue to enjoy the series when you get back to it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. The Deep End was one that I meant to read a while back. Have not as yet. The time period is appealing to me. I was a teenager myself at that time and suspect I would recognize various things related to the '70's. Will keep it on my list. Hope you have a good weekend!

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    1. Kay - I meant to read it awhile back too. I'm so glad I finally did. So there's hope for you too. There are always books we meant to get to, aren't there? I was just out of diapers--maybe--when this book is set. I wasn't happy at first to think of it as historical, to be honest. LOL I hope you have a good weekend too. Thank you for visiting!

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  4. Definitely one I want to read!! Happy weekend!

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    1. Freda - I hope you get a chance too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. I don't like ARC e-books. It's just me, but I tend to forget about them!

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    1. Deb - I can understand that. I keep a log so that helps me remember. Most of my reading is via e-book these days. It's just so convenient. I still love my print books though. Thank you for visiting!

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  6. Fun sounding book - I'm really cutting back on my ARCs this year....I have too many backlist books begging to be read and the ARCs will be published and readable at some future time. Have a terrific weekend.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
    https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/friday-memes-11-1

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    1. Terrie - I am trying to read more of my backlist books too. It's hard to stay away from the shiny new books though. So much temptation . . . But you are right. The new books will be here awhile so why rush? Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. I loved both of those snippets, and combined with your review, I really want to read this one. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great weekend! :)

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    1. Ashley - I hope you get a chance to read it. I think you might like it. I hope you have a great weekend too. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. I'm glad The Deep End turned out to be such a winner! :D

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    1. Lark - Me too! Why didn't I read it sooner?! Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. I find Edelweiss very hard to use. I use Netgalley or Booksirens, and get some print copies from publishers. I've been asking for more print copies lately so I can give them to my library used book store when I'm done with them. It supports the library.

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    1. Bonnie - Edelweiss isn't the most user friendly, I agree. I've never heard of Booksirens before. That's a new one to me. I do not donate my ARCs to the library unless they are finished copies. I'm a bit of a rule follower that way. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  10. Historical Cozy Mystery is a new one for me! It sounds interesting and having been born in the late 70s it would be a fun time period to revisit. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Cindy - I love a good historical cozy mystery, although usually I read ones set in earlier times. Thinking of the 70's as historical makes me feel very old. LOL Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. I love the cover of Practical Magic! It's absolutely great.

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    1. Viviana - That's my favorite of the bunch, I think. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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    1. Lauren - It was a good one and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. I love the time period. And I remember TAB too!

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  14. How do you all manage to get in good with the publishers to get offered physical ARC copies? I wanna be that cool.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    Here's my BBH if you care to visit -- https://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2023/02/book-blogger-hop-arc-sources.html

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    1. Katie - I signed up years ago to be on publisher lists. I don't get offered as many as I used to since I rarely read print ARCs like I used to. Being on book tours helps too. Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. I'm glad you liked The Deep End. I've read the first couple of books in the series and enjoyed them. I'm behind on the series but eventually I will catch up. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Yvonne - I was looking up how far behind I am in the series and hadn't realized how many books there are! I have a lot of catching up to do! Thank you for visiting!

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  16. I think the Guilded Ones covers are stunning though I haven't read the books. I like the combination of a mystery with humor so Deep End sounds good.

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    1. Helen - I really liked The Gilded Ones. I have the second book and need to read it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. So much included in this post, Wendy. I love The Country Club Murders. I have the last couple to read, but they always make me laugh and the 70s content brings back such memories. I am a cover lover, so I love that part of the post. I think the Gilded Ones is my favourite from the ones you highlighted. I also get most of my ARCs from NG or EW. I do get some from authors, publishers and promoters but usually for blog tours. Have a great week!

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    1. Carla - I look forward to reading more in the series. I am glad you are enjoying it! The Gilded Ones is such a gorgeous cover. Thank you for visiting! I hope you have a great week too.

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  18. Those are good covers. The only other place I get reader copies is from street teams.

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    1. Mary - I wish the publishers were better about documenting who created the covers. I'm not good at researching that information, but they do deserve credit for their work. Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. That sounds like a great read.. I have it on my TBR, good to hear you liked it.

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  20. I've in wanting to read The Deep End since it came out--so many books, so little time!

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    1. Catherine - So true! I am glad I finally got a chance to read this one. Thank you for visiting!

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  21. Gorgeous covers! I love The Gilded Ones and Mexican Gothic - both are stunning!

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  22. I loved the earlier books in this series though I never read this book. Somehow I started the series at the second book. I love Ellison and want to read this at some point soon! I only use NetGalley at this point. I used to use Edelweiss too but it's just easier for me to stick with one site.

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    1. Katherine - NetGalley is definitely more user friendly. I am glad you enjoy what you've read of Mulhern's series. I look forward to reading more. Thank you for visiting!

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  23. I agree with the comment above -- both the covers of Mexican Gothic and The Gilded Ones drew me in immediately. I think the cover of her next novel The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is also quite fetching.

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    1. Susan - I am still hoping to read The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. I've heard good things about it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  24. I really like those covers. Especially The Gilded ones

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  25. Those are some great covers. I think my favorite is Mexican Gothic.

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  26. The Deep End sounds good and the time setting is a draw, too. Those covers are pretty and my favourite will be Mexican Gothic.

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